WESTLAND WALLACE -
Light bomber
and army co-operation biplane derived from Wapiti, with split-axle undercarriage
and Bristol Pegasus engine. Private venture prototype (Westland P.V.6)
first flown October 31, 1931, leading to adoption by RAF. To Specification
19/32, 57 Wapiti IIA airframes (mostly in store, and unflown) converted
to Westland Wallace I, as well as two Westland prototype and development aircraft;
eight more built as new. Then to Specification G.31/35, the RAF bought
107 Westland Wallace Us (including three Wapiti conversions) differing principally
in having a totally enclosed canopy over the two cockpits, with a revised
mounting for the Lewis gun in the rear cockpit. Westland Wallace I had 550 hp Bristol
Pegasus II engine, replaced by supercharged 665 hp Pegasus IV in Westland Wallace
II, with larger diameter propeller. Westland Wallaces were used to equip RAF Special
Reserve and, later, AAF squadrons in UK, starting with No/501 (City of
Bristol) in January 1933. In September 1939, some 125 Westland Wallaces were still
on strength (41 of them Mk Is). They flew on until mid-1943, serving as
trainers at Bombing and Gunnery Schools, and in other support roles including
target-towing. Data for Westland Wallace II:
Max speed, 158 mph (254 kmlh) at 15,000ft (4,572 m). Gross weight, 5,750
Ib (2,608 kg). Span, 46 ft 5 in (14.14m). Length, 34 ft 2 in (10.41 m).
